I’m happy to announce the return of Art in The Garden to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. This annual artist showcase will be held from March 27-29 in several areas throughout World Showcase. Here is a brief listing of which artists will be featured during this year’s event.

Guests can meet David Doss and Greg McCullough on the World Showcase Promenade from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. David will release one of his newest images featuring Olaf enjoying summer, while Greg will have artwork featuring Winnie the Pooh and Friends.

In the Puffin’s Roost at Norway Pavilion, guests can meet Larry Dotson from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. I love his artwork featuring the Stave Church from the World Showcase Pavilion.

Artist Reinhard Herzog will be in Glas Und Porzellan at Germany Pavilion from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. Known for creating amazing glass-blown keepsakes, Reinhard will release two new ornaments that resemble a bride and groom. He will also have other glass-blown items available for personalization during the event.

Finally, while not art related, I encourage you to attend the free cooking demonstrations held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Port of Entry at the entrance to World Showcase. The 15-minute demos begin at 3:00 p.m. each day and offer guests an opportunity to meet a Disney chef.

The Garden Rocks Concert Series at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival has a few newbies this year, including this weekend’s group – En Vogue. I own a couple of their CD’s, and have sung along with their hits including “Free Your Mind”, “Don’t Let Go” and “My Lovin”. The trio has a new album coming out later this year. I had a chance to chat with Rhona Bennett about their festival debut – it’s a homecoming, of sorts, for her!

Rhona: I haven’t attended the festival before, so I’m looking forward to this. Disney has a knack for creating enchanting environments.

Victoria: You’re already kind of part of the family – I read you were on the “The All-New Mickey Mouse Club”. What can you tell us about that time?

Rhona: I gained so much from my experience at Disney … I had a great time exploring the fine arts (dancing/singing/acting/interviewing/recording/etc..) on such a platform and with such a talented group of kids. And … I frequented Space Mountain, ‘The World’ at Epcot and the splendor of the night lights at the Magic Kingdom [Park].

Victoria: What can you share with us about the new album coming out? Any flowers or garden themes in it (smile)?

Rhona: We’re all pretty silly, so we had a good time being creative and recording the forthcoming album. There were funny writer’s block moments where we would break out into song and dance while passing the time … And, although we don’t have any songs with a flowers or garden theme, we do have a song called, ‘Blue Skies’, that could compliment them.

Victoria: What attractions, characters, food or experiences are “must do’s” during your time with us?

Rhona: I would love to visit Downtown Disney again. I heard that it has continued to expand with greater attractions and places to eat. I will definitely take another stroll through ‘The World’ at Epcot. And, I wonder what’s in place of ‘Horizons in Future World’. I used to love that ride!

I sure hope Rhona isn’t disappointed Horizons was closed back in the late 1990s! Maybe she should take a spin on Test Track Presented by Chevrolet or Mission: SPACE instead! What attraction would you recommend for her first time back in a while?

You can catch her with En Vogue this Friday, Saturday and Sunday as part of the Garden Rocks Concert Series at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m.

And we “Spring into Spring” today with special programs and food celebrating longer days, warmer weather, and St. Patrick’s day in our first extended weekend of the festival. Check out the details and menus at this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

What fun to make our rounds on the World Showcase Promenade and taste all the new creations from Executive Chef Gregg Hannon and his team at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. We love the blooms, but the food gets most of our attention.

Chef Gregg agreed to share two brand-new recipes this year, one savory, one sweet. The Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash from The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews takes a little time, but, oh, it’s worth it. “Burnt Ends,” by the way are the crunchier outside pieces of leftover brisket – so you get to enjoy a beef brisket, then make this fabulous hash for another meal. And the Florida Blueberry and Lemon Curd Tart from the Florida Fresh Outdoor Kitchen takes advantage of blueberry season in the Sunshine State.

So if we don’t see you on the promenade between now and May 17, we hope you’ll try these recipes at home. For two great Florida Fresh Outdoor Kitchen recipes back by demand this year, check out the Watermelon Salad and Shrimp and Grits.

For more information, call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or go to epcotinspring.com. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

Pour brine over onions and jalapeños. Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours.

For white cheddar cheese fondue:

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 5-8 minutes, or until onions are translucent.

Add flour, stirring constantly, for 3-5 minutes. Do not allow mixture to brown.

Add cream, salt, white pepper and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes, or until simmering. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, 20-25 minutes, until mixture is thick and coats the back of a spoon.

Heat canola oil in a large sauté pan over medium for 5 minutes, or until oil is shimmering.
Carefully add potatoes. Cook potatoes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes, until potatoes are golden and cooked through.

Add remaining vegetables. Cook 3-5 minutes, until softened. Season with salt and pepper.

Roll out each portion into a circle about 2 inches larger than the diameter of each tart pan.

Place dough into tart pans without stretching. With fingers, snugly press dough into sides and bottom. Press along top edge of pans to remove excess dough. Prick bottom and sides of each tart.
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

For blueberry filling:

Prepare an ice water bath to accommodate a medium saucepan.

Combine 1 cup blueberries, sugar and water in a medium saucepan.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.

Add cinnamon and remaining cup of blueberries, continue to cook until entire mixture thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and place pan in ice water bath to cool.

Place meringue in piping bag with a wide opening decorator tip (so blueberries in meringue do not clog tip). Garnish each tart.

Chef’s note: For the tart, a stand mixer with a flat beater can be using instead of mixing dough by hand. Mix flour, sugar and salt at low speed. Add butter, beat on medium-low speed until texture resembles coarse cornmeal, with butter pieces no larger than small peas. Add egg yolk, water and vanilla mixture, beat just until dough pulls together.

Take one look at Jon Secada’s résumé and it’s no wonder he’s been so successful. One of the first Latin crossover stars, he’s a Grammy winner who’s sold over 20 million records. Also an accomplished performer, songwriter and producer, Jon’s starred on the Broadway stage and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business—from Gloria Estefan to Frank Sinatra. He even performed for Pope John Paul II.

RUSS: What will it be like to grace the Garden Rocks Concert Series stage for the first time?

JON: Looking forward to it! This will be a different experience because I’m used to playing Epcot in the fall. It should be a lot of fun to experience the park at a different time of year.

RUSS: So what can audiences expect?

JON: The hits. Everything that people know me for over the past 20-plus years. My show’s going to incorporate a little bit of everything that’s a part of my career. But for the most part, it’s a high-energy show with a concentration on the up-tempo stuff in my repertoire. That’s what I like to do. Keep the people moving. Everybody’s walking around and being active. So I like to be active as well.

RUSS: Will you have the same set list for each show, or mix it up?

JON: There are certain songs that stay the same. But the rest, I kind of mix and match with different recordings that I’ve done. So for each set, the fans will get the core songs that people know me for, and then they’ll also get a taste of something different. Maybe a couple of songs that they didn’t hear in the last set. That way, it draws people who maybe saw the last show. You can go knowing that you’re not going to experience the exact same set.

RUSS: How would you describe your music?

JON: It’s pop but with a fusion of different flavors. I grew up listening to R&B, rock, Latin music and jazz. I also studied jazz music. So my music has been kind of a fusion that’s integrated so many styles. There are melodies, hooks and lyrics that you remember and can sing along to. So that’s always been kind of the essence of my career and my recordings.

RUSS: I’m glad you brought up your different influences. How does it make you feel being one of the biggest bilingual crossover stars in the world?

JON: I was very fortunate in the early ’90s when my career got off the ground because I was one of the first artists to have success in both languages. And it created a wave of colleagues, friends and other artists who followed during that decade. It’s been the difference maker in my career. And I’m very proud of my heritage, very proud to be Hispanic-American.

RUSS: Will you be bringing your family?

JON: Yeah, they’ll be coming with me. They love the opportunity every time that I perform to enjoy the parks. We take advantage of maybe spending an extra day or so, whether it’s before or after the shows, to hang out and enjoy all that Disney has to offer.

RUSS: What do you hope people get out of your shows?

JON: Hopefully a strong, very organic, very transparent performance. There’s not a lot of sequencing going on. I truly sing live. I just love leaving it all on stage and being just as high energy and passionate as possible.

RUSS: Your admiration and respect for your fans is obvious.

JON: I owe everything to my fans. It’s the reason I have a career. They’ve really followed me through all the different paths that I’ve taken. And so I really appreciate that.

RUSS: You have a new book, “A New Day,” out. Tell us about it.

JON: Yeah. It was released in both English and Spanish a few months ago. It’s a memoir reflecting on my life and 25 years in the business, incorporating who I am as a Latino. I was very humbled, very flattered when I was approached to do this book.

RUSS: One last question. Just how big a Disney fan are you?

JON: (laughs) I’m a huge fan. My children grew up going to the parks. But I’ve also done a lot of work for the Walt Disney Company through the years. My first big project was the “Pocahontas” soundtrack; I did a duet with Shanice called “If I Never Knew You (End Title)”. And we sang it in English, Spanish and Portuguese. I did the Christmas Day Parade here at Walt Disney World Resort a few years ago. Yeah, so, I’ve had a 20-plus year experience doing different things for Disney along the way. A lot of memories there. Plus, I’d say I go the parks at least twice a year. And my kids, they’re growing older but they still love that experience!

With a new Festival-themed design, the mini Disney Gift Card has all the functionalities of a regular Disney Gift Card, with the added convenience of wearing it around your wrist. Enjoy the sights and scents of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival while discovering foods that highlight the taste of spring. Simply use your Disney Gift Card at any festival kiosk, and enjoy!

This year’s design will be available exclusively at Epcot and Epcot Resort locations for a limited time during the Festival. Activate your Disney Gift Card with as little as $15, then just swipe or scan to pay for food and more.

The fun doesn’t have to end after the Festival! Reload your Disney Gift Card on property as often as you like, and use it for practically all things Disney throughout Walt Disney World Resort and at other Disney destinations nationwide.

Planning a visit to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival this spring? If so, you’re in for a treat! We’ve recently introduced several new atmosphere entertainment experiences throughout the international pavilions of World Showcase, and there’s even more on the way.

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Italy – Join in the music, energy and flair of the spectacularly choreographed flag-throwing team of Sbandieratori Di Sansepolcro. Featuring hand-painted flags, magnificent period costumes and live music, the Sbandieratori bring to dynamic life a rich, 500-year Italian tradition that’s not to be missed.

United Kingdom – Strolling the quaint streets of the United Kingdom pavilion, you can enjoy a delightful, acoustic performance by Paul McKenna Band, a traditional four-piece group from Glasgow, Scotland, whose contemporary approach to songs never strays too far from their Scottish, folk music roots.

Canada – On the Mill Stage, the Canadian Lumberjacks demonstrate their professional skills in a safe and friendly competition, a time-honored tradition from Canada’s great timber and logging areas, featuring axe throwing, chopping, log rolling and more.

Morocco – B’net Al Houwariyate, a multi-generational Berber music and dance troupe from Marrakesh, takes to the Medina stage of the Morocco pavilion for a lively and interactive performance, illuminating the stories and experiences of women in Morocco.

Starting this week, Voices of Liberty has a fresh new look and sound for their appearances on the outdoor stage at America Gardens Theatre. Two days each week, this remarkable 8-part a cappella group is bringing their talents to even more guests, performing fresh arrangements of popular American songs, both classic and contemporary. Voices of Liberty will continue their traditional performances in the rotunda of The American Adventure pavilion Wednesday through Sunday each week.

These new, authentic experiences – along with long-time favorites like Mariachi Cobre in Mexico, Jeweled Dragon Acrobats in China, the Taiko drummers of Matsuriza in Japan and others – are all part of our continuing efforts to keep Epcot entertainment fresh and contribute to the rich cultural landscape of World Showcase.

Which of these groups are you looking forward to catching during your day at Epcot? Let us know in the comments section.

Our 11 Outdoor Kitchens are bursting with flavors from the garden, the barbecue and the globe. The new Botanas Botanico features Cachapas with Farmer’s Cheese, a Seafood Ceviche and a fruity La Tizana punch that can become an adult beverage with a splash of Santa Teresa RHUM Liqueur.

Kids will love the Living Desert Road Rally with Mater and Lightning McQueen topiaries and the Mike & Sulley’s Monstrous Garden. (Truth be told … I was tempted to do some climbing myself on the rope web – check it out!).

Ease into the evening with Garden Rocks concert series. The Gin Blossoms – perfect for a festival featuring flowers and gardens, right? – kick off our festival music offering.

Linger as the sun goes down to roam our illuminated gardens. It’s really a wondrous way to see Epcot at night.

We’ve already seen two of the newest stars make some young guests leap out of their strollers and dash for a closer look. The Anna and Elsa topiaries are pretty spectacular. Horticulture Manager of the festival, Eric Darden, gives us a closer look at the royal sisters before they made their debut at Epcot.

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